1. Synthesis and Characterization of Titanium Carbide Nanofibers Using a Modified Carbothermal Reduction Process
Kanchan Mondal, Chung – Ying Tsai
Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA
Materials Congress 2017
Rome, Italy
June 12-14th, 2016

2. Titanium Carbide Superior Properties Applications
High hardness (28-35 GPa),
High Young’s modulus ( GPa)
Low density (4.93g cm-3).
Electrical conductivity (39×10⁶ S/Cm)
Thermal conductivity (6-31 W/m/K)
High melting point (31600C),
Corrosion resistance (Acid & Base)
Wear resistant coatings:
bearings, fretting joints (tribological)
Cutting tools/ Hard coating on steel tools (Hardness)
Additives to carbide tools (Mechanical properties)
Reinforcement agent for Al and Al alloys

3. Carbothermal Process for TiC and TiB2 Powder Synthesis
Background
Carbothermal Process for TiC and TiB2 Powder Synthesis

4. Going Nano

5. Some Past Work Electrospinning and Carbothermal
Carbon Source - Furfural Alcohol
Zhang et al, Nanoscale, 2010, 2, 1670–1673
Taguchi et al, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2007, 111
In molten salts
On nanoporous cotton fiber
Li et al, C A R B ON , 2008, 4 6, –3 0 9
Li et al Cryst. Growth Des. 2011, 11, 3122–3129
Tao et al, Cryst. Growth Des. 2011, 11, 4422–4426

6. TiC Nanofibers Synthesis
Ethanol/methanol mixture
Polyvinyl- pyrrolidone
HNO3
Titanium isopropoxide

7. TiC Nanofibers Synthesis
Polypropylene
TiO2 nanofiber
As-spun Titanium fibers
600°C
50 psi
Carbon Black Powder/
Evaporarted C
Carbon Coated TiO2 nanofibers
Heat Treatment °C
1-4 Hrs
Argon Atmosphere

8. Carbon Coating by Propylene Cracking
1 D nano TiC
Carbon Coating by Propylene Cracking

9. Carbon Coating by Evaporated Carbon
1 D nano TiC
Carbon Coating by Evaporated Carbon

10. As Spun Fibers Contained in Cellulose Paper
TiC Nanofibers
As Spun Fibers Contained in Cellulose Paper

11. Direct 1500 C 350C Then 1500 C As Spun 500C Then 1400 C
2µm c
400nm
50nm b d f g
Direct 1500 C
350C Then 1500 C
As Spun
500C Then 1400 C
d) With 6hrs at
1400 C
With Cellulose paper
With Cellulose paper

12. f e d c b

13. Interplanar spacing of 2.50Å
15-29nm
2.50Å
(111)
111
200
220
311
Interplanar spacing of 2.50Å

14. Titanium Carbide Fibers
Lattice Parameter Å A B C
Low Cost of Production
Pure TiC fibers
nm diameter
L/D >50
Metallic Conductivity
Improved TiB2 sintering properties
10 % doping gave 97%
theoretical density vs 94 %
of pure TiB2

15. Electrical and Electrochemical Properties
193 F/g

16. Conclusions
Combination of two key factors contributed to the successful production of the continuous smooth TiC nanofiber with high purity:
(1) Fine-tuned heat treatment parameter, and
(2) External supply of carbon through pyrolysis of cellulose..
The TiC nanofibers exhibited a smooth surface morphology
Length of the nanofibers were in the centimeter range, which makes the fibers suitable for a wide variety of applications
TiC nanofiber showed metallic behaviour
TiC nanofiber matrix can be used as EDLC